Device and safeguard unit for the storage of a firearm

ABSTRACT

Device for the storage of a gun with a base, a safety unit for the secure storage of the gun on the base and a controller, wherein the safety unit can be inserted at least partially into the barrel and/or a cartridge chamber of the gun and comprises a first safety section, which can be brought into a safety state, in which the safety unit is secured in the gun, and into a release state, in which the safety unit can be separated from the gun, and the controller brings the first safety section into its release state when a user authorization is received.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to a device for the storage ofa gun and in particular a device for safely storing guns fromunauthorized withdrawal and only enabling their withdrawal and, ifapplicable, their operation by authorized persons.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

In order to securely store guns and to only allow authorized persons toaccess them, weapon cabinets, weapons safes, weapons cases and otherdevices are used, in which guns can be locked. Authorized persons canthus access stored guns if they have the correct key, numbercombinations, codes and/or other means specifying an accessauthorization and/or if corresponding biometric data from these peoplewas registered and successfully checked. This type of locked storage isnot suitable if guns need to be stored visibly and at the same timeprotected from unauthorized access. Another disadvantage is that suchstorage devices are difficult to open, whereby free access to otherwisenormally unsecured, i.e., operative guns is possible.

In order to store guns in a manner such that they are visible but stillprotected from unauthorized removal, devices are normally used thatsecure the guns, e.g., using brackets, clamps, chains and such. Onepartial disadvantage hereby is that guns are only partially visible,because, e.g., a bracket serving as a fastener completely covers oneside of the gun. Another disadvantage hereby is that secured fastenersare difficult to open by unauthorized persons, usually very simple,whereby in general not only an unauthorized removal but alsounauthorized operation is possible.

Such disadvantages also exist in the case of devices, which are usedduring the carrying of guns by their users, such as, e.g., holsters forhandguns. In the case of such devices, it is known to mechanicallysecure guns in a space provided for gun storage (e.g., hollowarea/pocket of a holster), in that latches, locks, hooks and such engagewith the barrel, the handle and/or in the area of the trigger of a gunand prevent the removal of the gun. The working connection(s) with thegun safety can be ended through the use of appropriate means (e.g.,access codes, keys, individual-related/biometric data) and the gun canbe removed.

Another disadvantage of the known approaches for storing guns is thatinformation, e.g., on who removed which gun and when and/or whether thiswas unsuccessful due to lack of authorization, is not captured/provided.

Please see the following documents regarding the state of the art: DE102 40 119, DE 102 31 685, U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,807, U.S. Pat. No.5,188,328, U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,557, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,276, U.S. Pat.No. 4,570,890, U.S. Pat. No. 1,579,552, U.S. Pat. No. 945,520 and GB2082293.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In order to solve the above object, the present disclosure provides adevice for the storage of a gun, wherein the device comprises a base, asafety unit for the secure storage of the gun on the base and acontroller, wherein the safety unit can be inserted into a barrel and/ora cartridge chamber of the gun and comprises a first safety section,which can be brought into a security state, in which the safety unit issecured in the gun and into a release state, in which the safety unitcan be separated from the gun, and the controller upon authorization ofa user to separate the gun and the safety unit brings the first safetysection into its release state.

The device according to the disclosure serves to store one or more guns.The device according to the disclosure has a base, a safety unit foreach gun for the secure storage of a gun on the base and a controller.

It is assumed below that the device according to the disclosure has onesingle safety unit, i.e., it is designed for the storage of one singlegun. Embodiments with respect to the safety unit are also applicable forany other safety unit.

The safety unit can be inserted at least partially, preferablycompletely, into a barrel and/or a cartridge chamber of the gun andcomprises a first safety section. The first safety section has a safetystate and a release state and can be placed in one of these states. Inthe safety state, the first safety section in the gun is secured so thatthe safety unit cannot be separated from the gun without authorizationand so that the gun cannot be removed without authorization. In therelease state, the removal of the gun is enabled, wherein the safetyunit can be separated and removed from the gun for this purpose.

For example, if there is a known user authorization for the removal ofthe gun from the controller and/or of another device, the controllerbrings the first safety section into its release state. For thispurpose, the controller can be designed such that the safety unit or thefirst safety section can be controlled directly such that the releasestate can be taken up.

Alternatively, the controller can indirectly operate the first safetysection in that the controller correspondingly controls a control unitarranged between the controller and the safety unit or the first safetysection. Furthermore, one or more control elements, which are, e.g.,implemented electromechanically or mechanically, can be controlled.

The controller can be implemented structurally as one individual,integrated component, which serves to control the entire device,according to the disclosure. The controller can also comprise two ormore control units, which, e.g., can be attached to the base and thesafety unit or one or more safety units.

In order to determine whether a user has an authorization to remove thegun, a preferably electronic authentication is provided. Theauthentication can be performed through the controller or through anauthorization verification unit attached to the controller. Theauthorization verification unit can, e.g., comprise a memory, inparticular, a nonvolatile memory (e.g., ROM), in which data and/orinformation is saved, which specifies one or more authorization for theremoval of the gun. Such data and/or information include code, passwordsand/or biometric data.

For the authentication of a user, who wants to remove the gun, the userprovides his data and/or information (e.g., at least a code, passwordand/or biometric data) to the controller or the authorizationverification unit. Should a comparison of the entered data and/orinformation and the saved data and/or information indicate that the useris indeed authorized to remove the gun, the first safety section isbrought into the release state.

An authorization can indicate that a user may remove the gun from thesafety unit and/or the base. An authorization can also indicate that auser may operate the gun. “Operation” of the gun is to be understood tomean, in particular, that the gun can be loaded with suitable munitionsand/or fired. The user is also able to separate the gun and the safetyunit from one another.

In one embodiment, the safety unit is permanently connected to the base.This can, e.g., be achieved via a rigid, e.g., rod-like, connection.

In another preferred embodiment, the safety unit can be attached to thebase in a detachable manner.

Preferably, the first safety section and in particular the entire safetyunit can be completely inserted into the barrel and/or the cartridgechamber of the gun.

Preferably, the first safety section can be locked, preferably braced,in the barrel and/or cartridge chamber of the gun in order to assume itssafety state and unlocked, preferably released, in the barrel and/orcartridge chamber of the gun in order to assume its release state.

Furthermore, the safety unit can comprise a second safety section, whichcan be brought into a safety state, in which the second safety sectionis secured on the base; and can be brought into a release state, inwhich the safety unit can be released from the base.

In one embodiment, the base can have a support permanently connectedwith the base, on which the second safety section can be secured in itssafety state and released from it in its release state.

The support can thereby be inserted into the second safety section,wherein it is provided that the second safety section can be locked onthe support, preferably force-locked, in order to assume its safetystate and unlocked from the support, preferably through the terminationof the frictional connection, in order to assume its release state.

Furthermore, it is possible that the second safety section can beinserted into the support, wherein it is then provided that the secondsafety section can be locked in the support, preferably braced, in orderto assume its safety state, and can be unlocked in the support,preferably released, in order to assume its release state.

The second safety section can (also) be completely inserted into thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of the gun.

The second safety section can at least partially encase the first safetysection and/or be series-connected with it.

It is provided that the controller is designed such that in the case ofan authorization from a user to bring the first safety section into itsrelease state, whereby the second safety section remains in its safetystate, or to bring the second safety section into its release state,whereby the first safety section remains in its safety state.

In the case of two safety sections, the controller can be designed tobring the first safety section into its release state only if a user isauthorized to remove and/or operate the gun.

Different authorizations are preferably used to remove the gun and tooperate the gun, the validity of which can also depend on the sequenceand/or the temporal interval in which they are provided. Thus, it is,e.g., possible that an authorization for the operation of the gun isonly valid if there is or was a valid authorization for the removal ofthe gun beforehand and the temporal interval, in which theauthorizations were provided/made available, and predetermined limitvalues are not exceeded and/or fallen short of. Furthermore,authorizations can only be limited for predetermined time intervals orsections (e.g., for certain days, times of day, or weeks) and/ortemporally (e.g., from and/or until a predetermined date and/or time ofday).

The controller, which is preferably implemented at least partiallyelectronically, can be attached to the base, in that the controller is,e.g., attached to the base or is integrated in it.

Alternatively, the controller can be arranged in a section of the safetyunit such that the controller can also be inserted completely into thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of the gun. This can, e.g., beachieved in that the controller is arranged in a section of the safetyunit, which is located adjacent to the first safety section.

As mentioned above, a verification of an authorization of a user can beperformed by the controller or an authorization verification unit thatis or can be connected to it.

An input unit is preferably provided in order to enter data and/orinformation, which specifies an authorization of a user for removingand/or operating the gun. The input unit can include at least one of thefollowing components:

-   -   a button, switch, slider or such, which can be activated by a        person with removal authorization and/or that is accessible for        this, wherein activation can specify that the safety section        should be brought into its release state    -   an interface for entering a code, password or such (e.g.,        alphanumeric keyboard, number keypad, and/or microphone for        speaking commands)    -   one or more sensors for recording biometric data (e.g., sensor        for recording a fingerprint, sensor for a retinal scan, sensor        or sensor arrangements for recording characteristics of the face        of a user, and/or sensor/microphone for recording linguistic        characteristics)    -   an interface and/or read device to read chip cards, smart cards        and such    -   a device for the wireless reception of data and/or information        specified for removal authorization (e.g., a receiver for        transponder signals, RFID receivers for signals with, e.g., 125        kHz or 13.56 MHz, receivers for signals with, e.g., 25 kHz or        868 MHz, Bluetooth receivers, etc.).

The input unit can include the controller, in particular if thecontroller is integrated into the base or can be inserted into thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of the gun, or it can be separatefrom the controller. Connection(s) between the input unit or itscomponents and the controller can include corresponding data interfaces.

The controller can be designed to include data and/or information thatspecify the operation or operating states of the device according to thedisclosure. Such data and/or information includes information onwhether, when and how often the first and/or the second safety sectionis brought into the safety state and/or the release state, how longthese states are maintained, whether, when and how often unauthorizedremoval attempts were made, which authorized users have used the deviceaccording the disclosure and how often, etc. Such information can, e.g.,be saved and/or provided in so-called log files. This type of storagecan be performed by the controller and, if applicable, using suitablememory components. Such logged data and/or information can be madeavailable to users and/or data/information-processing devices, e.g., foranalysis.

Furthermore, there can be an output unit for outputting data and/orinformation to a user. The output unit can be used, e.g., to makeavailable to the user information on the operating state of the deviceaccording to the disclosure, e.g., whether or not the gun is secured onthe base and/or whether to provide data and/or information (e.g., logfiles) recorded and logged by the controller. The output unit can alsobe used to request data and/or information from the user, whichspecifies the authorization to remove a gun when entered correctly. Thedata and/or information output can take place acoustically, opticallyand/or electrically or electronically. The output unit can beimplemented separately from the controller or can include it.

The at least one safety section, i.e., the first safety section and/or,if provided, the second safety section are preferably designed such thatsecuring forces can be created in the gun in the safety state, whichaffect adjacent contact surfaces, which can be interior surfaces of thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber and/or exterior or interior surfacesof a support on the base depending on the embodiment. Furthermore, theat least one safety section can be designed such that such forces can beincreased if an unauthorized user tries to remove the safety unit fromthe gun.

It is provided in particular that forces can be increased in this mannersuch that the gun, in particular the interior surfaces of the barreland/or the cartridge chamber, is damaged, rendering the gun unusable.

It is also possible that the controller has a control unit, which ispreferably designed at least partially electronically.

It is also possible to arrange the control unit in a section of thesafety unit, which can be inserted completely into the barrel and/or thecartridge chamber of the gun.

Furthermore, the disclosure provides a safety unit, which can be used tosecurely store a gun on a support fastened to a base. The safety unitcomprises a first safety section, which can be inserted into a barreland/or a cartridge chamber of the gun and which can be brought into arelease state for release of the gun, and a second safety section, whichcan be brought into a safety state for securing on the base and into arelease state for release from the base.

The first safety section can be completely inserted into the barreland/or the cartridge chamber of the gun.

The first safety section can be locked, preferably braced, in the barreland/or cartridge chamber of the gun in order to assume its safety stateand unlocked, preferably released, in the barrel and/or cartridgechamber of the gun in order to assume its release state.

The first safety section and the second safety section can beseries-connected.

The first safety section can at least partially encase the second safetysection.

The second safety section can be inserted at least partially into thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of the gun.

The second safety section can have a recess, into which a supportconnected with the base can be inserted, and can be locked on thesupport, preferably force-locked, in order to assume its safety stateand can be unlocked from the support, preferably through the terminationof the frictional connection, in order to assume its release state.

The second safety section can be inserted into a support connected withthe base and can be locked in the support, preferably braced, in orderto assume its safety state and can be unlocked in the support,preferably released, in order to assume its release state.

The safety unit can furthermore have a control unit, which is designedsuch that in the case of an authorization from a user to bring the firstsafety section into its release state, whereby the second safety sectionremains in its safety state, or to bring the second safety section intoits release state, whereby the first safety section remains in itssafety state.

The control unit can be designed to bring the first safety section intoits release state only if a user is authorized to operate the gun.

The control unit can be arranged in a section of the safety unit, whichcan be inserted completely into the barrel and/or the cartridge chamberof the gun.

The control unit can be designed to perform a verification of anauthorization of a user.

The safety unit can also have a unit, which is designed to perform averification of an authorization of a user.

The unit for the verification of an authorization of a user can bearranged in a section of the safety unit, which can be insertedcompletely into the barrel and/or the cartridge chamber of the gun.

The safety unit can also have an input unit, with which data and/orinformation can be entered, which specifies an authorization of a user.

The input unit can be arranged in a section of the safety unit, whichcan be inserted completely into the barrel and/or the cartridge chamberof the gun.

The safety unit can comprise an actor, which is connected with the firstsafety section, in order to bring this alternatively into its safetystate and its release state, and/or an actor, which is connected withthe second safety section, in order to bring this alternatively into itssafety state and its release state.

The at least one actor can be controlled by the control unit.

The at least one safety section can be designed to create securingforces on the adjacent contact surfaces in its safety state and toincrease such forces in the case of force effect for unauthorizedremoval of the safety unit from the gun without user authorization.

The safety unit can be completely inserted into the barrel and/or thecartridge chamber of the gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description refers to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a device according to the disclosurefor the storage of several guns;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure with a safety unitpermanently connected to the base;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure with a safety unitthat can be detached from the base;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a safety unit for the embodiment in FIG.2;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show embodiments of safety units for the embodiment inFIG. 3;

FIGS. 7 to 12 show perspective views of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure for securing and storing weapons, which, e.g., can bearranged on a table or in a display case;

FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure for securing and storing weapons in opposite-lying, two-rowarrangements, which can, e.g., be fastened to a wall;

FIGS. 15 to 17 show perspective views of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure for securing and storing weapons in a single-row arrangement,which can, e.g., be fastened to a wall;

FIGS. 18 to 20 show perspective views of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure for securing and storing weapons, which can, e.g., be used ina showroom;

FIGS. 21 to 23 show perspective views of another embodiment of thepresent disclosure for securing and storing weapons, which can, e.g., beused in a showroom; and

FIGS. 24 to 26 show perspective views of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure for securing and storing weapons in a parallel, two-rowarrangement, which can, e.g., be fastened to a wall.

For the sake of completeness, reference numbers are repeated in drawingsif they have already been used once.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure for thestorage of several guns. The device has a base 2 on which the guns 4 arearranged. The guns 4 are secured on the base 2 using safety units 6. Thesafety units 6 can be permanently connected with the base 2. FIG. 1shows, among other things, a safety unit 6, on which no gun is arranged.Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a support 8, which is fastened on the base 2and is provided for use with a safety unit (not shown) designedseparately from the base 2. The base 2 can have only permanentlyconnected safety units, only permanently connected supports or bothpermanently connected safety units as well as permanently connectedsupport.

The base 2 can, e.g., be used to visibly show guns in stores, at tradefairs, at presentations and such.

In other embodiments that are not shown, the base can be integrated intoa weapon cabinet, weapon safe or such, or represent an integratedstructural component of such a storage device. In the latter case, it ispossible to view the storage device as the base.

Furthermore, embodiments are provided in which a base is arranged in theaccess area of a person authorized to use a gun, such as on the bottomside of a table, in the glove box of a car, in a device for carrying agun (e.g., holster) and such.

The embodiments described below assume the storage of one single gun.These types of embodiments apply to the storage of more than one gun andcomponents and functions used for this purpose. We also refer to a gunin the form of a handgun. These types of embodiments also apply for gunsin the form of other weapon types, in particular, long weapons.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment, with a base 2, on which a safety unit 6 ispermanently attached. The safety unit 6 is fastened on the base 2 bymeans of a connection 10 and has a first safety section 12. Thethickness of the safety section 12 is to be measured such that it can beinserted into the barrel or a cartridge chamber of a gun. Furthermore,the length of the first safety section 12 is to be measured such that itcan be inserted completely into the barrel or the cartridge chamber.

Advantageously, the first safety section 12 can be inserted as far aspossible into the barrel or the cartridge barrel. In order to enablethis for barrels or cartridge chambers with different lengths or depths,it can be advantageous to measure the connection 10 such that, e.g., inthe case of short barrels, the connection 10 is partially visible orreachable, while in the case of long barrels, the connection 10 can alsobe inserted completely into the barrel.

In order to control the safety unit 6 and, in particular, the firstsafety section 12, a controller 14, e.g., in the form of a computer orapplication-specific, computer-based device, can be connected with thesafety unit 6. The wired data connection shown in FIG. 2 can be realizedat least partially through a wireless connection passage in the case ofembodiments not shown here. Furthermore, an input unit 16 is provided,via which data and/or information can be entered, which specifieswhether the inputting person is authorized for the removal of a gunarranged on base 2. Data and/or information on the operating state ofthe safety unit 6, in particular, on whether a gun arranged on the base2 is secured on it or can be removed, can be provided to users via anoutput unit 18. Alternatively to the representation in FIG. 2, thecontroller 14, the input unit 16 and the output unit 18 can beintegrated at least partially into one unit. Connections between thecontroller 14, the input unit 16 and the output unit 18 can be designedin a wired and/or wireless manner.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is different from the embodiment in FIG.2 in that a support 8 is arranged on the base 2 instead of a safety unit6. The support 8 can, e.g., be designed as a rod or a bar made of metalextending away from the base 2. The support 8 can have a circular or apolygonal cross-section. A polygonal cross-section of the support 8 canbe advantageous if a gun needs to be arranged in different orientations(e.g., in the direction of the grip of a handgun) on the base.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support 8 can have a thickened section 20. Thethickened section 20 can improve the connection with a safety unit (notshown) designed separately from the base 2 for the securing of a gun onthe base 2.

FIG. 4 shows a design of a safety unit 6 for the embodiment in FIG. 2,the connection 10 of which to the base 2 is only partially shown. Asshown in FIG. 4, the safety unit 6 has a safety section 12. As describedabove, the safety section 12 is measured such that it is inserted into abarrel of a gun that is not shown, in particular into a rear part of thebarrel, and can be arranged there. This can prevent the removal of a gunsecured to the base 2 in that a portion of the barrel is sawn off.Preferably, the safety unit 6 and advantageously the safety section 12can be inserted far enough into the barrel of a gun so that the safetyunit 6 or the safety section 12 prevents the loading of munitions,blocks loading devices of the gun, which load munitions into the barrel,and prevents the opening and turning of a drum and such.

The safety section 12 represents in particular a section, which can besecured in the barrel of a gun in a positive-locked and/orfriction-locked manner. To this end, it is provided that the safetysection 12 can be locked or braced in the barrel. This represents asafety state of the safety section 12. In order to remove the safetysection 12 from the barrel, the positive-locked and/or friction-lockedconnections with the inside of the barrel are released, in that, e.g.,the safety section 12 is unlocked or released. This state represents asafety state of the safety section 12.

A penetration protection 22 is arranged between the safety section 12and the connection 10. The penetration protection 22 has at least onediagonally arranged element 22 a, 22 b, 22 c. The element(s) 22 a, 22 b,22 c are designed such that, if the safety section 12 is located in itssafety state, forces, which work in particular in the longitudinaldirection of the safety unit 6, in order to make it hard to remove thesafety unit 6 from the barrel of the gun, cause a decrease in theincline of the diagonally placed elements 22 a, 22 b, 22 c (in otherwords, the diagonal elements are aligned). This causes a type of radialexpansion, whereby at least some of the diagonal elements 22 a, 22 b, 22c ensure (another) positive-locked and/or friction-locked connectionwith the inside of the barrel. This increases the forces, which securethe safety unit 6 in the barrel. Preferably, the penetration protection22 is designed such that forces for the forced/unauthorized removal ofthe safety unit 6 from the barrel can lead to it becoming damaged if theelements 22 a, 22 b, 22 c are displaced far enough.

A comparably designed penetration protection 24 can be provided adjacentto the free end of the safety unit 6.

A plating 26 can be arranged on the free end of the safety unit 6. Theplating 26 serves to protect from manipulation from the side of thecartridge chamber. The plating 26 can, e.g., be made of a hard metal, aceramic material and/or other resistant materials.

The safety section 12 has a clamping device 28. The clamping device 28comprises clamping jaws 30, which can be forced apart by means of a,e.g., wedge- or cone-shaped tensioning device 32. When the tensioningdevice 32 is located in a position, in which no forces forcing apart theclamping jaws 20 are exerted on the clamping jaws 30, the safety section12 is located in its release state. When the clamping jaws 30 are forcedapart by the tensioning device 32, the safety section 12 is located inits safety state.

The extent to which the clamping jaws 30 are forced apart for a statesecuring the safety unit 6 in the barrel of the gun can, e.g., bedetermined depending on the quality of the material and/or thedimensioning of the barrel. This can, e.g., be set via correspondinginputs on the controller 14. Alternatively or additionally, it isprovided to record forces created by the tensioning device 32 and/orexerted on the clamping jaws 30. If a few or many of these forces reacha limit value such that the barrel will be damaged, the extent to whichthe clamping jaws 30 are forced apart can be restricted or reduced in asuitable manner (slightly).

Furthermore, the tensioning device 32 can further increase the forcescreated for securing if the safety unit 6, should it be removed from thebarrel in a forced/unauthorized manner, which can be determined by meansof force sensors (not shown).

In order to force apart the clamping jaws 30 for the safety state of thesafety section 12, the tensioning device 32 is moved accordingly bymeans of an actor 34. In FIG. 4, this corresponds with a movement of thetensioning device 32 to the right. An actor 34, which works togetherwith the tensioning device 32 via a rotatable spindle 36, can, e.g., beused to move the tensioning device 32. Alternatively, an actor 34 can beused, e.g., in the form of one or more piezo-electrical elements, whichwork directly with the tensioning device 32 and can move them.Furthermore, one or more electromagnets and/or electromotors and/or oneor more memory metal comprising actors (e.g., SMA wire) can be used asactor 34. In order to bring the safety section 12 into a release state,the tensioning device 32 is moved in the opposite direction, whereby theclamping jaws are moved in the direction of their original, releasedstate.

A control unit 38 serves to control the actor 34 and, if applicable, torecord and assess forces created by the safety section 12 and/or have aneffect on it. The control unit 38 is controlled by the controller 14 inorder for the controller 14 to bring the safety section 12 into thesafety state and the release state.

It is also provided to use only the controller 14 or only the controlunit 38, which then provide the functions of the other components.

Control signals and energy can be relayed to the control unit 38 and theactor 34 via a connection (not shown), which extends to the base 2 viathe connection 10 and from there to the controller 14 and/or a powersupply (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a safety unit 6, which is provided for usein the case of the embodiment in FIG. 3 with a support 8 attached to thebase 2. If not indicated otherwise, the above specifications, withrespect to the embodiment of the safety unit 6 in FIG. 4, also apply tothe embodiment according to FIG. 5.

The safety unit 6 according to FIG. 5 can be connected with the base 2via the support 8. The support 8 can be inserted in a recess 42 throughan opening 40.

The safety unit 6 in FIG. 5 comprises a first safety section 12 with aclamping device 28. The clamping device 28 comprises clamping jaws 30and a tensioning device 32, which can be moved by means of an actor 34.The corresponding area of the safety unit 6 on the right in FIG. 5 iscomparable with the area shown to the right of the penetrationprotection 22 in FIG. 4. This area and, in particular, the first safetysection 12 in FIG. 5 provide the functions of the embodiment in FIG. 4,which serve to secure it in a barrel of gun or to release it.

Furthermore, a second safety section 12′, which surrounds the recess 42or in which the recess 42 is designed, is provided. The second safetysection 12′ is a section, which can ensure positive-locked and/orfriction-locked connections with the outside of the carrier 8, in orderto permanently secure the safety unit 6 on the support 8. The safetysection 12′ can thereby be inserted into the barrel of the guncompletely, partially or not at all.

On the end adjacent to the opening 40, the safety unit 6, comparablewith the penetration protection 22 in FIG. 4, has a penetrationprotection that is not shown here. This embodiment provides to designindividual diagonal elements of the penetration protection in aring-shaped or other manner, making it possible to arrange the elementsto surround the recess 40.

The second safety section 12′ has a clamping device 28′ with clampingjaws 30′. The clamping jaws 30′ can be forced together by means of atensioning device 32′. A working connection can thereby be establishedbetween the clamping jaws 30′ and the area of the support 8 arranged inthe recess 40. If the tensioning device 32′ is located in a position inwhich no forces are exerted on the clamping jaws 30′ forcing themtogether, the second safety section 12′ is located in its release state.If the clamping jaws 30′ are forced together by the tensioning device32′, the second safety section 12′ is located in its safety state.

This embodiment provides that the tensioning device 32′ is designed in aring- or hollow-cylinder-like manner. When the tensioning device 32′ isactivated using an actor 34′, it is provided to move the tensioningdevice 32′ along the clamping jaws 30′. It is also possible to providethe clamping jaws 30′ at least partially with an external thread and thetensioning device 32′ with an internal thread. In this manner, thetensioning device 32′, comparable with a nut, can be screwed onto theclamping jaws and unscrewed from them.

Otherwise, the above and following specifications, with respect to thecomponents and functions of the first safety section, also apply to thesecond safety section.

The control unit 38 shown in FIG. 5 is provided for controlling theactors 34 and 34′. It is also possible to use one control unit for theactor 34′, which can be arranged, e.g., between the actor 34 and theother safety section 12′, and another control unit for the actor 34′.

It is also provided to design the area of the safety unit 6 specifiedwith reference number 44 in FIG. 5 as a predetermined breaking point.The predetermined breaking point 44 can, e.g., be designed such that itis destroyed if predetermined tractive forces and/or torsional forcesand/or shear forces are exerted and/or exceeded in this area of thesafety unit 6. For example, if an unauthorized person tries to forciblyremove the safety unit 6 from the barrel of a weapon, the predeterminedbreaking point 44 is destroyed with the appropriate force. The area ofthe safety unit 6 lying left of the predetermined breaking point 44 inFIG. 5 can be removed from the gun, but the area of the safety unit 6lying to the right of the predetermined breaking point 44 remainssecured in the barrel by means of the first safety section 12.

When using the embodiment of the safety unit 6 in FIG. 5, a safety canfirst take place in the barrel of a gun using the first safety section12 and then a fixing by means of the second safety section 12′ on thesupport 8. Alternatively, it is provided to secure the safety unit 6first on the support 8 and then to brace it in the barrel of a gun.

In order to remove a gun secured on the support 8 with the safety unit 6from the base 2, it is provided to bring the second safety section 12′into its release state. The working connection ensuring the securing ofthe gun with the support 8 is thereby ended. The gun can be removedtogether with the safety unit 6 that remains secured in the barrel. Thisallows the removal of the gun.

The operation of the gun is not possible based on the safety unit 6arranged in the barrel. In order to only enable the operation of the gunby authorized persons, the safety unit 6 can only be removed from thebarrel when data and/or information is provided to the control unit 38specifying such authorization. Such data and/or information can, e.g.,be transmitted to the control unit 38 wirelessly. The wirelesstransmission options first named for controller 14 can also be usedhere. Data and/or information can also be transferred to the controlunit 38 in that an interface (not shown) is used, which surrounds theopening 40 and/or is at least partially provided in the recess 42. Thistype of interface can, e.g., have one or more contact surfaces, contactpins, contact bushings, connectors and such. If the interface isequipped with a correspondingly designed interface of a device, whichhas data and/or information indicating authorization to operate the gun,it can be transferred to the control unit 38. Such interfaces can alsobe used to supply power to the control unit 38.

This interface or an interface comparable with respect to the storage onthe safety unit 6 can be used to feed control signals and energy to thecontrol unit 38 and/or to the actors 34 and/or 34′, which aretransferred via the support 8 or wires arranged in it and/or on it.

In the case of the embodiment in FIG. 5 and other embodiments, which canbe separated from the base, it can be advantageous to use only onecontrol unit integrated into the safety unit, which provides, at leastpartially, functions of the aforementioned controller (e.g., operationlogging, creation of log files). Data and/or information indicating userauthorization can thereby be provided via an external input unit orinterface that can be connected with the control unit and/or via aninput device also integrated into the safety unit. Means designed forwireless transfer are particularly advantageous here. Furthermore, anenergy supply integrated into the safety unit can be used in order to beable to operate the safety unit independently. Data and/or informationon the operation captured from the control unit can be made available,preferably wirelessly.

Alternatively, the gun can be removed from the base in that the firstsafety unit 12 is brought into its release state. The second safetysection 12 thereby remains secured on the base. This embodiment can,e.g., be used if a user is authorized to remove and operate the gun.Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange safety units on the base 2that are designed for guns of different calibers. In the case of a gunwith a barrel, the inner diameter of which is too large or too small forthe dimensioning of the first safety section 12, the safety unitfastened on the support 8 can be replaced by a safety unit, the firstsafety section 12 of which is suitable for arrangement in the barrel.

In the case of a modification of the embodiment in FIG. 5 (not shown),the area of the safety unit 6, which serves for the securing on asupport 8 of the base 2 (mainly the area with the second safety sectionin FIG. 5), is designed mainly the same as the area, which serves forthe securing in the barrel and/or the cartridge chamber of a gun (mainlythe area with the first safety section 12 in FIG. 5). In one model, thetwo areas, in particular their safety sections, can be designed asmirror images of each other, i.e., be assembled like twin constructions.

This embodiment is, e.g., advantageous if the support at least has theform of a tube that is open on one end or has another recess, into whichthe safety unit can be inserted at least so far that the correspondingsafety section can be secured in the support. Otherwise, thespecification referring to the embodiment in FIG. 5 also applies to thisembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a safety unit 6, which is providedfor use in the case of the embodiment in FIG. 3. The embodiment if FIG.6 is different from the embodiment according to FIG. 5 mainly in thatthe area of the safety unit 6, which serves for the securing on thesupport 8, is surrounded by the section of the safety unit 6, whichserves for the securing in the barrel of a gun. The predeterminedbreaking point 44, which can be arranged between the named sections ofthe safety unit 6, is also hereby provided.

In the case of other embodiments not shown here, an optionallycontrollable, lockable and unlockable bayonet lock or such can be usedinstead of a second safety section described above in order to securethe safety unit on the support.

Safety units are also possible, in which, instead of the second safetysection, a section that cannot be secured to the base can be connectedin a detachable manner (e.g., through insertion) to a base or a supportextending from it. Generally speaking, this enables the removal of thegun. In order to protect the gun from unauthorized use, the safety unitcan be connected with the base or the controller to transfer data andinformation via a cable connection (e.g., for better mechanical securingwith a steel core). This connection makes it possible to bring the firstsafety section into the release state in order to be able to separatethe safety unit from the gun. If this connection is broken, the safetyunit remains secured in the gun and cannot be removed. This eliminatesthe need for a control unit that is integrated into the safety unit ifthe control unit would allow the first safety section to be brought intothe release state without a connection to the controller.

Safety units are also possible in which a second safety section is usedfor the securing on the base and a safety section that is only securedand unsecured mechanically in the gun is used instead of the firstsafety section. It is hereby provided that the second safety sectionserves to secure the gun on the base or to release it from the base. Inthe case of such embodiments, the mechanically securable or releasablesafety section can preferably only be separated from the gun if thesecond safety section is at least released or released and removed fromthe base beforehand with appropriate user authorization. Thus, forexample, such release or release and removal of the second safetysection can be a prerequisite for making accessible specified areasand/or components of the safety unit for mechanical activation orrelease of the safety section secured in the gun.

FIGS. 7 through 26 show perspective views of devices according to thedisclosure that are explained in greater detail below.

FIGS. 7 through 12 show an embodiment, which can be used, e.g., toarrange guns on a table, in a display case, in a cabinet or such. Inthis embodiment, the base comprises a base plate 46, which has an area48, e.g., on one side, in which information (e.g., weapon type, name ofthe weapon owner/user) on a weapon 4 that can be arranged above it canbe provided. Furthermore, the base has a main body 50. The main body 50can be designed as one piece with the base plate 46 or can be providedas a separate component that can be connected with the base plate 46,e.g., via gluing, plugging, snapping, welding, fusing, etc.

In one preferred embodiment, the main body 50 can be made of a stringmaterial that can be cut into the desired lengths. The use of stringmaterial is also provided in the case of the single-piece model of baseplate 46 and main body 50 as well as for the base plate 46, if these areprovided as a separate component.

Side parts 52 can be used in order to cover and/or lock potential sideopenings in particular in the case of the use of string material.

Display elements 54 are provided on the main body 50, preferably incorrelation to the areas where a gun 4 can be arranged. The displayelements 54 can create, e.g., optical signals, which indicate whether ornot a weapon 4 can be removed from the base 2. Thus, for example, it isprovided that the display elements 54 emit a red light if a weapon 4 issecured on the base 2 and a green light if a weapon 4 can be removedfrom the base 2. The display elements 54 can be, e.g., LEDs.

Deviating from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, it can beprovided to arrange more than the four shown guns or fewer guns. Thiscan be achieved through appropriate dimensioning of the base 2 and/or acorresponding number of safety units 6 (not shown here). In the case ofthe embodiment shown, four safety units 6 can, e.g., be providedaccording to the provided number of guns. In one weapon model, onesingle safety unit 6 can be used.

In order to build the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, the safetyunits and the respectively assigned controller components can bedesigned as one single module. This type of modular structure makes itpossible to equip the main body 50 with the desired number of modules,which can be inserted, e.g., into the recesses in the main body 50 orsecured there. Electrical connections from and to the module(s) can beachieved via a bus arranged in the main body 50, wiring arrangements andsuch.

Aside from the explained differences, the above embodiments regardingFIGS. 7 through 12 also apply to the embodiments described below.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, which can be used, e.g., forthe arrangement on a wall, a panel and such, the main body 50 isdesigned such that weapons 4 can be secured one above the other.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 through 17 can also be used for thearrangement on a wall or a panel and allows the securing of weapons in aseries above each other.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 through 20 comprises a stand 56, whichis designed as one piece with the base 2 or can be provided as aseparate component. The embodiment in FIGS. 21 through 23 is differentin the shape of the stand 56.

Except for the fact that the variant shown here allows the arrangementand securing of guns at an angle to a surface 58 provided for thefastening to the base 2, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 through 26 iscomparable with the embodiment in FIGS. 15 through 17. A space-savingarrangement can be achieved if, as shown, the base 2 has sloped areas 60and 62, which make it possible to arrange several bases 2 on each otherin a positive-locked manner.

1. A device for the storage of a gun, comprising: a base; a safety unitfor the secure storage of the gun on the base, the safety unit beinginsertable at least partially into at least one of a barrel or acartridge chamber of the gun, and the safety unit comprising a firstsafety section, which can be brought into a safety state, in which thesafety unit is secured in the gun, and into a release state, in whichthe safety unit can be separated from the gun; the safety unit furthercomprising a second safety section, which can be brought into a safetystate, in which the safety unit is secured to the base, and into arelease state, in which the safety unit can be released from the base;and a controller, that brings the first safety section into the releasestate when a user authorization is received to separate the gun and thesafety unit, wherein the safety unit remains secured to the base.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a permanentlyconnected support, and wherein the second safety section is secured inthe safety state on the support and can be separated from the support inthe release state.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the supportcan be inserted into the second safety section, and the second safetysection can be locked on the support in order to assume the safetystate, and can be unlocked from the support, to assume the releasestate.
 4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the second safetysection can be inserted into the support, and can be locked in thesupport to assume the safety state, and can be unlocked in the supportassume the release state.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is designed to bring the first safety section into itsrelease state upon receipt of a user authorization when the secondsafety section remains in its safety state, and to bring the secondsafety section into its release state when the first safety sectionremains in its safety state.